LAUNCESTON'S Cavaliers netball club had mixed results in yesterday's state finals in Hobart, winning the 19 and unders premiership but losing an exciting open final to Arrows after the match went into extra time.
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Cavaliers player Jordyn Becker shot a last-minute goal in the 19 and unders grand final to help her side snatch a thrilling 36-35 victory over Cripps Waratah to earn the club's sixth-straight state league premiership in the age group.
The grand final contest was close throughout with Cripps getting out to a two-goal lead with only a minute left on the clock and Cavaliers managing a couple of crucial turnovers to draw level and snuck in with a winning goal with only seconds to go.
Cavaliers' Lydia Coote was player of the grand final with Grace Van Noord strong in defence and Deanna Wadley playing a solid game as well.
In the opens, Cavaliers went down 54-45 to Arrows following two periods of extra time after scores were tied 39-39 at full-time.
Arrows managed to pull away in the last five minutes of the final period of extra time to win the premiership, with goal shooter Sophie Gunn judged player of the grand final.
"I guess the story of the game was that although Sandra Bennett played a great game on her in defence, Sophie was just too strong in the end and got those extra goals to help them pull away," Cavaliers president David Thomas said.
"It was very even throughout the game - Arrows got away early and were about five goals up but Cavs then settled and got back into the match.
"It was Arrows leading 11-7 at quarter-time, 18-all at half-time in a low-scoring game with both defences on top.
"At three-quarter-time, Arrows skipped away to lead by three goals, 31-28, but Cavs fought back to 39-all at full-time."
Thomas said Bennett, Dannie Carstens and Dana Lester put in strong performances in defence for Cavaliers with Shelby Miller a standout in the mid-court and Kate Gibson good in the goal circle.
"A few missed opportunities during the game didn't help Cavs but they battled it out really well."